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"~.THI 



BOARD OF MANAGERS 



THE AJUERICAIV COl.O]¥IZATIO]¥ SOCIETY 



AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 



i 



WASHINGTON: 

PRINTED BT GALES AITD ISATOlf. 

1831. 






in i^'.-i.. 



ADDRESS. 



The great and increasing interest felt by the Aineilcah People in the colo- 
nization of free persons of color in Africa, while it justifies the most san- 
faine hopes of the authors of this scheme of benevolence, claims froni the 
ioard oi Managers a full and candid exposition of the manner in which the 
trust committed to them has been fulfilled. Resting entirely on public opinion, 
this opinion, to be correct, should be enlightened. Guided by this principle, 
the whole administration of the aftairs of the colony at Liberia, from the in- 
ception of the plan, has been disclosed before the public in annual or more tre- 
quent statements, which have been widely disseminated throughout the whole 
extent of our country. In these statements will be found the original propo- 
sition for the formation of the society; the plan and constitution adopted? the 
expeditions fitted out to Liberia; the perils that sprang up, with the holy and 
heroic enthusiasm which overcame them; the number of emigrants which 
successively left our shores for those of Africa; tlie policy pursued m adminis- 
tering the concerns of the colony; exhibiting the radical laws tor the govern- 
ment of the colonists; the donations in the United States, specifically stated, 
and their application; with all other information possessing sufficient interest 
to gratify a laudable curiosity, or fitted to ensure a correct accountability. 
But this mass of information is spread through many volumes, which tew possess, 
and which those who do may not, without considerable trouble, be able to em- 
body under distinct views. It is this task, so far at least as to present a con- 
densed statement sufficiently comprehensive for present purposes, that the 
Board of Managers now undertake to discharge— a task which they consider 
at this time the more important, from the existence, in some parts ot the 
United States, of misapprehensions ot the policy and measures ot the society. 
As it would extend this communication to a length frustrative ot its principal 
object, to give a more detailed record of the historical events ot the colony, 
this will not be here attempted; but,whatever is considered necessary to the 
formation of a correct judgment on the object, policy, and measures ot the 
society, will be supplied. . , . .. i 

The society was established in the year 1817. At this time a deep in- 
terest was taken throughout the United States in the fate of the people ot 
color, as well those in a state of slavery as those who were tree. 1 he evil was 
universally admitted, the remedy doubtful and contested. So various, and, 
indeed, discordant were the views entertained and urged on this head, and, 
in many instances, so angry the feelings excited, that discussion, so tar Iroiu 
approximating differing opinions to each other, every day widened the breach, 
and threatened an abortion of the various schemes ot beneficence suggested. 
In this portentous state of things, the proposition to torm a society on prin- 
ciples in which good men of all parties and sects might cordially unite, was 
received with almost universal favor. These principles were embodied ui 
the plan of the American Society for Colonizing the Free People ot i^olor 
of the United States. Its founders contemplated slavery as a great evil; but, 
looking at it in its practical aspects, perceived that, under our political insti- 
tutions, its alleviation or eradication called for the most deliberate and tender 
treatment, and would, in all human probability, be most effectually advanced 



under the moral influence of an enlightened pubhc opinion, by those most 
deeply and directly interested in tlie subject. Whde, therelore, they deter- 
mined to avoid the question of slavery, they proposed the formation d a 
colony on the coast of Africa, as an asylum for free people ot color. The 
plan was founded on these considerations. 

The amalgamation of the wliites and blacks m one homogeneous commu- 
nity was deemed impracticable, c^ r I r 1 • 

The nominal freedom and equivocal condition of the free people of color in 
the United States would, it was believed, by their colonization in Africa, be 
converted into genuine liberty and real prosperity. 

The most efficient instruments for subverting the slave trade would be sup- 
plied by such a colony. , , , 

Its existence would be the strongest inducement to the gradual and provi- 
dent manumission of slaves, with a view to their colonization. 

On this ground the society was established ; on this ground it has been 
prosecuted? and, so long as its constitution endures, on this ground exclusively 
must its future measures be taken. Did, indeed, their consciences permit 
them to look for a rule of conduct in considerations of mere expediency, they 
might triumphantly point to the inestimable value of a plan, unassuming in 
its origin, yet susceptible of boundless extension, which, in uniting a whole 
nation, already consisting of twelve millions, and doubling every twenty- 
five years, must, from the force of this union, at no very remote period, be 
able, by a moderate contribution of each individual, to effect the mightiest end. 
By this union will be perpetuated the germ and growth of an institution 
whose final expansion imagination can scarcely anticipate. 

While, however, this principle must continue to be, as it has heretofore 
been, the guide and the guardian of this society, it should not be inferred 
that there is, or can be, any influence exerterl by it that can interfere in the 
slightest degree with the dilfusion of principles or the prosecution of mea- 
sures by others, which may aft'ect any other collateral objects. The emanci- 
f»ation of slaves or the amelioration of their condition, with the moral, intel- 
ectual, and political improvement of people ol color within the United 
States, are subjects foreign to tlie powers of this society- To mingle them 
with the great and exclusive end oi the Colonization Society, would be de- 
structive to it. But it does not follow, because the Society does not directly 
encourage these objects, that it is either hostile to them, or that it exercises any 
deleterious influence in regard to thein. As well might it be said, that the 
Constitution of the United States, by abjuring any connexion with, or recogni- 
tion of any particular religious tenets, exercised an influence unfriendly to true 
religion; whereas we all know that it is preeminently owing to this constitu- 
tional forbearance, that the purity of religion in this country is not alloyed 
by the prejudices and corruptions that have debased it in other portions of the 
globe. Let these interesting topics, on which such differences of opinion 
are honestly entertained, rest on their own foundations. It is for the Colo- 
nization Society, agreeably to its organic law, amidst these conflicting sen- 
timents, to maintain, in its oflicial relations, the strictest partiality. 

Under the guardianship of this iimdamental principle, the Society was found- 
ed. It soon commanded the friendship and support of good and distinguished 
men, from the South as well as the North, from the West as well as the East, 
A Washington, a Madison, a Crawford, a Marshall, a Clay, an Adams, a 
Carroll, and a host of other worthies, were soon enrolled among ^its friends. 
Local feelings were lost in a genei-al concentration of opinion. Funds were 
raised by individual subscriptions, and agents appointed to select the most 
favorable region in Africa/or a colony. Difficulties of the usual kind arose, 
but were overcome principally by moral means. Land for a colony at Li- 
beria was selected, and fairly paid for. The first feelings of hostility, enter- 
tained by some of the natives, was exchanged for a conildence founded on a 
more correct knowledge of our object, and perception of the benefits it 
would confer upon thenu 



Towards the proiaotion of the colony, nineteen expeditions have been fit- 
ted out, and 1,857 emigrants, including re-captured Africans, landed on the 
shores of Africa. To each family a farm, or town-lot, or both, have been 
assigned. Three towns, viz, those of Monrovia, Caldwell, and Millsburg, have 
been formed, and are, considering the infancy of the colony, in a flourishing 
state. Fortifications to defend it have been erected, and several small vessels, 
for the same end, and to check the slave trade, have been furnished; a sys- 
tem of government, in which the colonists participate as much as prudence 
will permit, is in full and successful operation,* various places of worship 
have been built, and freedom of religion secured; and a system of public 
schools devised, that promises to extend to alt the colonists the blessings of 
education- The commerce of the colony may be said to be flourishing — an 
effect almost necessarily flowing from its exemption from lestraint, and is 
rapidly extending; and the mechanic arts and agriculture, gradually pro- 
gressive. The climate, for people of color, is decidedly salubrious, although, 
like all other low latitudes, settlers from other climates are often, for the first, 
season, exposed to considerable mortality. As an evidence of the genera!" 
salubrity, the existence of 2,000 colonists supersedes all doubts. 

Upon the whole, it may, it is believed, be affirmed, that the annals of man- 
kind scarcely present us with the instance of a colony, so remote in its posi- 
tion, that, in so short a time, has obtained such maturity. When to this it is 
added that the colony has been principally fostered by the contributions of 
individuals, its friends have abundant reason for congratulation at the success 
of a scheme, which, under the smiles of Providence, has so signally pros- 
pered. 

On the score of salubrity the Board of Managers have felt the deepest soli- 
citude. It should not be disguised that this is a point of cardinal importance — 
one full ofmoral and conscientious considerations, as well as pregnant with tlie 
eventual fate of the colony. In proportion to the strength of these consider- 
ations is the admitted obligation to the observance of the utmost candor. 
AVhatever great final good may be promised, as guardians of a high public 
trust, they do not consider themselves as morally authorized, even as the 
means of its accomplishment, to sport with the lives of their fellow-men. 
Human life, in their opinion, is too precious to its possessor, to be sacrificed 
without the most weighty and sufticient reason. They, therefore, pledge 
themselves to the nation to declare, on this point, the truth, the whole truth. 
Appreciating its impoi-tance, they have used every means of obtaining correct 
information. The result is a conviction that the health of the colony is 
not inferior to the Southern portions of the United States; that emigrants, 
after the first year's residence, do not incur a greater mortality; that, dunng 
the first season, there is a more Ihan ordinary mortality, and that, in this re- 
spect, there is a marked difterence in favor of emigrants, from the Southern 
States and low lands, over those who go from the North oi- mountam regions; 
that there is reason, from experience, to conclude, as the most fatal diseases 
in the colony yield readily to medicine, that a great portion of the mortality 
that has occurred has arisen from the temporary want of medical assist- 
ance— a circumstance that, it is hoped, will not again occur, as, besides the 
regular physician, the Colonial Agent is also a physician of respectability, and 
means have been taken to educate persons of color for the profession. In 
the mean time, every precautionary expedient is adopted to prevent and al- 
leviate disease. An appropriation of eight hundred dollars has been recently 
made for the erection and support of a hospital. A liberal provision exists 
for resident medical services; a full supply of medicine, with surgical and 
other instruments, are furnished; and suitable buildings prepared for the emi- 
grants, who are, during the first season, whenever necessary, maintained 
from the public stores established by the Board of Managers, who may, on 
this head, claim the merit of having steadily extended to the colonists the ut- 
most kindness and tenderness. This object has. indeed, been one of cardi- 
nal interest; from an early period of the colony, towns and other positions tor 



6 

settlement having been established in its interior, to which, recently, emi- 
grants have been sent for the first season, and, in one instance, with a suc- 
cess which leads the Board to hope, that a regard to this point, in con- 
nexion with judicious medical treatment, will divest the climate of Liberia of 
all its terrors. And that no further practicable means may be left untried, 
directions have been given to tiieir agents to supply the most precise and full 
statistical information of the colony, including the interior and elevated coun- 
try; thus calling in the aid of science and liberal research on this most inter- 
esting point, and with the express view, in case the superior salubrity of 
the interior country shall recommend it, to extend the settlements of the 
colonists. 

It has been remarked, that one of (he great ends of this institution ^yas the 
extirpation of the slave trade. On the atrocity of this curse of humanity, we 
happily entertain, in this country, but one opinion; and, deplorable as its ef- 
fects have already been, whatever shall eft'ectually contribute to this extir- 
pation may be hailed as of inestimable importance. For, great as is the evil 
already inflicted, what comparison can it bear to that which the perpetuated 
continuance of this nefarious traffic would inevitably have on the happiness 
and dignity of a large portion of the human family — continuing, \vith aug- 
mented strength, the wars and massacres, and depopulation and vices of Af- 
rica, with the calamitous eftects of extended slavery in every region of the 
earth that should receive this unfortunate race? It was well said, at the time 
the Society was founded, that this traffic would receive its surest and dead- 
liest, if not its only effectual blow, in Africa itself. This prediction has, in 
no mean degi-ee, been already verified in our colony. As might be expect- 
ed, it is treated there with the most indignant abhorrence; and more than 
one instance has already occurred, in which the colonists have spontaneously 
risen in their strength, and crushed^ M'ith a signal vengeance, those who dared 
to pollute their soil, or its vicinity, with its accursed fruits. 

In the early stages of the colony, the United States having passed laws 
to give effect to tnose prohibiting the slave trade, which was declared 
piracy, authorized the transportion to Liberia of such Africans as should 
be re-captured by our vessels; and, for the purpose of carrying this power 
into effect, have, at that time and since, so far aided the colony, as to con- 
tribute to the support of the Colonial Agent, to the supply of arms, and erec- 
tion of fortifications, to the compensation, for a season, of a physician,* and to 
some other agents, connected with a provision for the temporary maintenance 
and protection of the re -captured Africans. The gi-eater part of these expenses 
were incurred many years since, have averaged about the annual sum of 
about $9,000, and are now considerably reduced. Some exception has been 
taken, in a solitary official document, drawn up by a subordinate officer, to the 
expenditures of the Govern.went, which it is not further necessary to notice 
than by observing, that thesi."! disbursements were made by the Government 
itself, who alone, and not the 3oard of Managers, are answerable for them: 
that the object, for which the v were expended, is more than equal to the 
amount expended; and that a vt^ry moderate acquaintance with the difficul- 
ties and perils incident to the esuiblishment of remote settlements, united 
with a. due sense of the dignity of the object, must convince every liberal 
American mind of the insignificance of the means, thus applied, to the impor- 
tance ot the end. 

Wij'^^he exception of this contribution, for which the friends of the cause 
should be grateful, notwithstanding its mod>."-rate amount, and the annual aid 
ot $1,000 by the State of Maryland, and a small donation by Virginia, the 
lunds of the Society have been derived from individual contributions, 

b rom the records of the Society, it appears t.hat the contributions received 
have been as follows. It should be noted, th.at the amounts include the 
expenses of collection, which are not inconsiderable. 



In 1820, 1821, & 1822, 
1823, 
1824, 
1825, 
1826, 
1827, 
1828, 
1829, 
1830, 



And that the annual expenditures are as follows 

In 1820, 1821, .& 1822, 

1823, . - - . . 

1824, ..... 

1825, ..... 



$5,625 


66 


4,798 


02 


4,379 


89 


10,125 85 


14,779 


24 


13,294 


94 


13,458 


17 


19,795 61 


26,383 


51 


$112,841 


89 


$3,875 79 


6,766 


17 


3,851 


42 


7,543 


88 


17,316 


94 


13,901 


74 


17,077 


12 


18,487 34 


17,637 32 


6,384 


17 



1827, ...... 

1828, ...... 

1829, - - ... 

1830, - - - '. . 
Balance on hand, . - - - - 

$112,841 89 

To secure a strict accountability, each donation is published in the African 
Repository, and a statement annually published of the sums expended. 
The distinct objects of these expenditures are too numerous to give here in 
detail. But it is important, to the end of this communication, that the 
amounts of the leading items of expense should be distinguished. 

1. The first item consists of the expenses attending the transportation of emi- 
grants. The cost of each emigrant, including his subsistence from his embar- 
cation to his landing at Liberia, is about twenty -three dollars. If to this sum 
be added the expense ot collecting the emigrants often from remote points, 
and that incidental to fitting out the vessel, the cost may be stated at twenty- 
six dollars. 

2. The subsistence of each emigrant at the colony for six months after 
his arrival, which may be estimated at thirteen dollars. 

3. The compensation of the agents and officers of the Society at the colony, 
which are, for the Colonial Agent: 

Paid by ,^he Government, $1,600 

Paid by the Society, 800 

$800 

For the physician of the colony, - - - •- - - - 1,500 
At present there is but one permanent physician. There have, at 
times, been two, and one for temporary duty is about going out. 

For other officers, . _ . . i^oOO 

In aid of public schools, estimated at 700 

For arms and warlike munitions, armed vessel, &c. estimated at - 1,500 
An expense of $3,000 has been lately incurred for an armed schooner, 
to transport supplies from one part of the colony to another, and in 
protecting the colony and checking the slave trade. 

For public buildings, medicines, and sundry incidental charges, esti- 
mated at - 500 

$6,000 



8 

4. The administrative expenses within the United States, consisting of: 

Salary of Corresponding Secretary, - $1,250 

Do. Clerk to Treasurer, ----... qqq 

♦Compensation of agents in different sections of the United States, en- 
gaged in forming auxiliary societies, collecting funds, and diffusing 
information respecting the objects of the Society, estimated at - 1,000 

Postage of letters, &c. about - - - 150 

Office rent, printing, and stationary, about 1,500 

$4,500 

During the three last years, the receipts and expenditures appear to have 
been as follows: 

Received in donations, - - , - $59,927 29 

Expended, ----...-... 53,201 18 

Leaving a balance on hand, on the 31st December, 1830, of - - $7,056 07 
Which has since been expended. = 

Making an average expenditure of about 18,000 dollars, consisting of 
charges for: 

Transportation and subsistence of erqigrants on their passage, - $5,902 
Their subsistence at Liberia for six months, . . . . . 2,951 
Compensation of the agents and officers of the Society at the Colo- 
ny, for public schools, arms, and military supplies, public build- 
ings, medicines, and sundry incidental expenses, - - - - 6,000 
Expensesofadminstration within the United States, - - - - 4,500 

$19,353 

During this period, 681 emigrants have been sent to Liberia, being an aver- 
age of 227 in each year. 

From this vieAv of the expenses of the Society, it follows, that tliose incur- 
red in the transportation of the emigrant and his subsistence on the voyage, 
are exceeded by the other expenses incident to the colony. This is readily 
accounted for, by tlie consideration that, in many respects, the expenses of 
the colonjj^are at present nearly the same as they would be if greatly extended. 
Such an extension would but little increase the compensation to the neces- 
sary officers and agents here, and the charges incidental to the organization, 
government, and protection, of the colony. 

This detailed view of the expenses of the colony is given, not only that 
public opinion may exercise a salutary control over the expenditures, but like- 
wise with the view of making an explanation, which, it is hoped, wil^ be satis- 
factory, of some incidents of recent occurrence. 

It has been represented ihat, in this great scheme of beneficence, whose 
accomplishment at present depends, with a single exception, on the sponta- 
neous offerings of individuals, it is just, that those who contribute the means 
should enjoy the right of directing the mode of their application; that, while 
all the friends of the cause unite in the leading end of the institution, there 
are various ways of carrying it into effect, on the relative benefits of which 
different minds may form different conclusions; that some of these are par- 
ticularly fitted to some parts of the Union, while different ones are not less 
fitted to other parts of the Union; and that, by allowing each donor, in case 
he sees fit, to appropriate his donation to a specific object, the field of con- 
tribution will be greatly extended, and the general approbation increased. 
The Board of Managers, yielding to the force of these suggestions, have in all 
instances given a pledge that contributions should be applied in strict obe- 

*Tlus expense is defrayed out of the collections, and is contingent on them, and, 
to its amount, diminishes the clear income. 



tlience to the ^v•ill of the donors. Thus, in sonic instances, it has, with their 
approbation, been made a term, that certain contributions sliould be solely 
applied to the transportation of slaves manumitted with the express view 
of such transportation; in other instances, contributions have been received 
that are limited to purposes of education in Liberia; in others, for the pur- 
poses of supplying tracts. In all these cases it is distinctly understood that 
the application of the contribution shall be, as it has always heretofoi-e been, 
confined to the designated end. 

While, however, the Board of Managers have invariably, in good faith, 
observed this rule, they would respectfully recommend to the donors who 
prescribe it, a full consideiation of its relative benefits and evils, previous to 
its adoption. _ They must be sensible, that the scheme of colonization is one 
of great magnitude and complexity; that the objects connected with the pros- 
perous founding of a colony in a remote region are numerous and diversified; 
that the means are often experimental, and require modification from time 
to time, as experience, the only safe guide, shall indicate; and that those 
must ordinarily be the most competent to designate the best objects and 
means, whose official and habitual duties make them necessarily best ac- 
quainted with the state of the colony. To foster it most ettectually and 
economically, it will, in general, be advisable, that there should be one com- 
mon fund, applicable, according to varying circumstances, to the existing 
condition of the colony, and to the objects ot the most pressing importance, 
instead of a fund broken into distinct fragments, thus often producing inevita- 
bly the result that, at the very moment there may be abundant funds in the 
treasury, for the accomplishment of all necessary objects, if unrestricted in 
their application, vital objects may be neglected, from the want of lunds spe- 
cially applicable to them; while superfluous funds, applicable exclusively to 
objects of minor importance, are uselessly expended, or lie idle and unproduc- 
tive. A coirect perception of the effect of such a course may be formed, by 
supposing that, ni framing the Constitution of the United States, the power 
to lay taxes had been connected with a restricted application of them to desig- 
naled objects. Could there have been devised a more effectual mode of ren- 
dering the Government incompetent to its great ends.'' However dispropor- 
tionate these cases are in respect to their magnitude, they furnish, from their 
similar nature, a close analogy — the colony of Liberia, for its founding and 
protection, requiring, in many respects, the same exercise of powers as tiie 
United States. 

It is proper here to notice a limitation of contributions, which has in some 
cases been applied, and which may not, perhaps, under peculiar circum- 
stances, be liable to exception. In some sections of the Union, it has been 
proposed to limit the contributions raised in it to the colojiization of their 
own people of color. It is obvious that the ^enem/ adoption of this principle 
would be very injurious, if not fatal, to the rapid growth of the colony, as the 
wealth of the country mainly lies in those sections where there are but few 
subjects for colonization, and where, happily, an ardent zeal prevails. But 
this may not constitute a valid objection to the special application of the prin- 
ciple in particular cases, as it is probable that the readiness of the latter sec- 
tions to contribute, regardless of local benefit to themselves, would not be 
abated by the restriction in particular districts; especially if it should be real- 
ized, that, in some districts, this might be the surest way of aiding the object; 
and that it might be so is not unlikely, v.heji we consider the lively and 
universal interest that would be apt to be taken by a community to release 
itself Irom a serious surrounding and otherwise increasing evil. 
I [n all these cases, notwithstanding occasional diversities of opinion, the 
Board of Managers and the several auxiliary societies have proceeded in 
liarmonious concert. Means have been supplied, by or through the latter, and 
been app!ied_ by the former in fitting out expeditions. In one recent in- 
stance, the friends of the cause in one district, believing that it could be 
most vigorously prosecuted in it by confining their contributions to die colo- 



10 

nizatioa ot their own people of color, have proposed a plan lor raising means, 
composed of moneys raised by auxiliary societies within its limits, and with 
iheni themselves fitting out the expeditions, they defraying, out of their own 
funds, the expenses of collecting and transporting the emigrants. 

The above detailed view of the disbursements shews that the ordinary 
expenses of maintaining an emigrant at the colony, before he isable to support 
himself, amounts to about thirteen dollars, and further shows, that the expense 
of administering the colony, assessed to each emigrant, greatly transcends this 
amount. The emigrants, for the last three years, average about 227, while 
the expenses, exclusive of transportation, and temporary subsistence of the 
new colonists, exceed ten thousand dollars. It has been thought by the man- 
agers, that the payment of twenty dollars for each emigrant sent to the colony, 
by each auxiliary society, which might adopt the plan to which we have 
alluded, might diminish the evil consequences which are apprehended from its 
general adoption; it being evident that, otherwise, all the means raised would 
go to the transportation of emigrants, and those required for the general 
concerns of the society and colony be entirely wanting and the system be 
destroyed. A flourishing colony, of about two thousand souls has, with great 
labor, anil at a large expense, been founded. It owes its success to institu- 
tions, by which it is protected trom external danger, from the slave trade itself, 
and by which it enjoys those political and civil rights that already constitute 
it the safe and honorable asylum of the oppressed, and which hold out 
the promise of boundless benefit and grandeur to a large portion of the inha- 
bitants of two quarters of the globe. The only way of maintaining these 
institutions is by meeting the expenses necessarily incident to them, and to 
meet these expenses a certain portion of the funds raised is indispensable. 
To surrender these would be either to abandon the colony, or, by jeoparding 
the continuance of its greatest blessings, to convert it into a scourge, instead 
of an ornament of the human race. 

Hitherto, the practice lias been, whenever the Board of Managers had 
collected sufficient funds, or been assured of their seasonable receipt, for them 
to cause one or more expeditions to be fitted out, and to take the proper steps_ 
for carrying them into effect. These consisted, not merely in the freight of 
vessels, and obtaining the needful supplies for the subsistence of the emi- 
grants on their passage, but, also, in turnishing supplies for them, for a cer- 
tain period after their arrival, erecting suitable buildings for their shelter, 
providing medical aid, and making various other provisions for their well 
being. To throw the emigrants on the shores of Liberia, without these pre- 
viousarrangements,would be to expose them to immolation, and to render tlieir 
arrival a subject of regret, instead of gratulation, to the older colonists. These 
arrangements have, conseciuently, gone hand in hand with the expeditions 
that have been conducted by the ]5oard of Managers. The proposed plan, in 
divesting the Board of Managers of any direct agency in fitting out any ex- 
pedition, in the districts in which it may obtain, does not supersede their 
duty to make all the necessary provisions for the welfare of the emigrants, 
thus transported, after their arrival at the colony. These expeditions may 
be conducted, possibly, on a large and unprecedented scale. Their promoters 
avow the hope that they will be. Hence, the increased obligation on the 
Board of Managers, to secure the means, without which, it might be totally 
impracticable to fulfil their duties. What would be the state of things, how 
fatal might it not be to the whole scheme, if emigrants should be transported 
beyond the means for their accommodation.^ And yet, this would be the 
actual consequence of the exclusive application of the funds to the transport- 
ation of emigrants. AVhen, indeed, we consider the necessaiy unity of the 
colony, and that its success and progress can alone flow from a systematic 
course of measures, emanating from, and executed by, one common authority, 
it should not occasion surprise, if it shall eventually be found that even the 
plan that confers on particular districts the power of fitting out expeditions, 
will be pernicious. In a certain degree it certainly will have the effect oi 



11 

destroying the nationality of tiie object, and of subverting a course of svstem- 
h I'ff^T'rTf • ^^ '"'^ ^\'? ''^^ ■^*'^^ ^ft'^^^t of inipairing the unbroken respons - 
bdity that otherwise would attach to one central agency, invested with au- 
honty to direct the whole machine. Nor should ft escape notice that this 

at'one'point'^olle d'r T''^ 1 ll^ success and grandeur t'o'thecSentra/i^ 
at one point ot the direction of the resources and efforts for its accomDlish - 
ment, and that Its location at the Seat of the General Government gTves knot 
only a character of nationality, but furnishes the surest means of concentrating 

m the view ot the whole American People, under the moral auspices as it 

r'th'e nrudPn^^nf'''^"'""- V]' ^''^^'/' confidence may hence b^ere^ole 
in the pi udenceot measures taken under their notice and advice Every 
thing IS submitted to the annual meetings, composed of delegates often i^" 
SSefo "[hitnf'^ r'^' legislators, and higK judicialStxecutivl ma- 
f ve hh^h fn L 1 ' ""'"^ Pf f ' ^•'^"^'^ ^'^^ ^'■f''^''^' of their scrutiny. They 
f ruments of their ttu^'ii&''T^\^^''' ^^^''^ «*" Managers, who are the in^ 
aSrAlb ''«,.r'rLl. '!.!- ^T"'-:')^-- -- ,?dded the in- 



crea= iw fwo nf ft^^ =^^"6 added the in- 

fnSienfp on fl?i ^ ^ ^^,^^6 Legislatures the colony, and their hoped-for 

ures which si II ^f^f^l^ ^^ ^'^^ '^"^^"' '" ^^'^ «"«! ^^OP^'"" of i^ea- 
ful develoDinen fvLf *'"^ ^T f^'^*'"'^ of benevolence its iYiU and event- 

and nltioTr action of- Z'' ^T^'' ''^''f'"'" ' s'^^'^^' ^^ ^^'^^^en the central 
ana national action ol the system, may be well questioned 

ihese important considerations have had their due weielit with the Board 

aLSfflhe'lndiJior^tf'J'Z 'T'^ ' "^°f sufficfen^ "4ason^or ?he 
volvenn the nlT^/fl /V'^'^t- u^ ^'i^.^omevvhat independent power in- 
than the secSrfnr.n.f ^ ^''^/i '"r^'^ condition, in fact, amounts to no more 
tSeXn Zrf^;TwY"l'^\^"r^-V"^>,P^"^ necessary to give effect 
L XSh 01 Smln^nf Z/^''"* '''"'^'' '^ ""-'^t P''o^'^ ^^o''«e than abortive, by 
digressing tltZell^^^^^^^ ""^^'^ ^^' '' '''^' as seriousl]; 



-..^-.„„„.^ ,„ i.ic ciuei coionisis. 

BoaiSMa^nate'i-saifn^^^ ^''"/- ^"'^^^tf complaint, that letters to the 
tionsof t e Sr, T?iiT''''^'''^,'" ^ "^^^^^^ corresponding to the expecta- 
sodltvreauire it nn«J cases where either courtesy or the interests of the 

ft?they S imt ^^ven In ""i • ^''''" .V ^'^" ^^^c'-^tary. Where neither claim 
due cinsiderition xvill " """ ^f"'"' ^''' "tmost conciseness is aimed at. A 
f !i o^i ." , ^^•"c^ the necessity of this course. The Secretary is 

grU'^e'^entTl^^^^ "" ---P-dence of the Sodety^amlZm 

Unitfd S ates i^ m„=f K '^"r'jespondence, pervading every section of the 
be entirely in'alS ''^.^''?'^^'' «f'^i« ^'^ole time would 

wouM doibtless h^P 1. ^ K^Pf * *^^ ^'.^^ ''' ^^'"^h, on many occasions, 
tTne is "ndeed deynfpr7l^^li *^A^?"^ ""/J"'' correspondents. His whole 
Sion'of it is corZ wi -^ ^[%f^''^ «f the society; but no inconsiderable 
wl ich he is an act?yp n p! 1 " ^^^'^erations vvith the Board of Managers, of 
rSrresioSdirA^if T^'"' »"P^-epanng subjects for their action upon them, 
neral atten on ?o i 1 V agents ot he Society at Liberia, and in that ge- 
X'xiu&fficerinT-f""' that devolves, on the principal, and almost 
ing to the dl hlnii. nn ^°""t/:y^ Hence, it becomes indispensable, trust- 
otltei conious staten P^^^^^ spread before the public in the annual reports, and 
ded ne aTsvv^ s XrpT"- T^ mostly through the Repository, geLra ly to 
cations, S to confinp '"fo^^^ation sought can be i^ound in ?hose publi- 
contain I? shouTd be aided "SlfT.^"'" '' '"^'^ "^-^^^^^^^ they may not 
<s not competent to answer hpi! ^'7'' ""'^ "'''•"^ ^°'"ts that the Secretary 
and decision of the Ed 'o?Mfnf''' ^' {:<^1""^the previous deliberation 
unless specially rnnvpn? I Managers, who meet but once in two weeks, 
pos3 ot^mS engafil^in .Pft^i'"'-"'' '^ ^f.^o^^idered that the Board is com '. 
IS entirely dest1t!?fnf^'v*''^S''"''"-^'''t^^^3^ ^^''1 "^t, perhaps, be viewed 
eiy destitute of merit, in devoting so much of thdr time to this object 



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